• Providing emotional support to patients and their loved ones.
• Postoperative care.
• Care and teaching of long-term intravenous (IV) devices such as Hickman catheters, Groshong catheters and
ports.
• Participation in clinical research teams or independent nursing research.
• Managing new technology and treatments such as bone marrow transplants or biological therapies as they
evolve.
Nurses can also develop their knowledge in several subspecialties such as radiation oncology , surgical oncology, medical oncology, palliative (comfort) care, cancer prevention and early detection, in-patient nursing, hospice , home care, patient education, research, and ambulatory and office nursing. Some nurses, particularly in large regional cancer centers, may develop an even more specific area of interest such as breast cancer, immunotherapy or pain control.
Radiation Therapy As one example of further education, nurses who specialize in radiation oncology work primarily in radiation therapy departments, either in hospitals or with independent practices. Their specialized knowledge of radiation treatment for cancer includes
